Automotive running gear



. 19,v 1944. N. E. WAHLBERG AUTOMOTIVE RUNNING GEAR Filed Jan. l0. 1942` INVENTOR. WAHLBE R G y NIL ERIK 69ml ATTQRNEY Patentedv Dec. 19, 1944 AUTOMOTIVE RUNNING GEAR Nils Erik Wahlberg, Chicago, 111.,

Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, Kenosha,

" assignor to Wis.,

a corporation of Maryland i Application January 10, 1942, Serial No. 426,296

This invention relates to the running gear of an automobile and has particular reference to means for vpreventing motor vibrations and road` shocks from being 'transmitted to vthe frame of the automobile.

The parts of an automobile may be classified for the purpose of this description as a frame member which supports the occupants of the vehicle and therunning gear which supports the frame and vprovides the driving force fory moving the vehicle. The running gear may further be subdivided into a power unit for developing the power necessary to drive the vehicle and a driving unit including driving road wheels and connecting `structure for transforming the power from the power unit to thrust forces at the driving wheels and for `transmitting thrust forces to the frame. The power unit includes a motor, clutch and change speed gearing.

It is an object of thisinvention to provide a single supporting member attachable to the frame of an automobile which will transmit the thrust loads to the frame and also support the power unit on `the frame.

It is another objectof this invention to provide a novel connection between the power unit of an automobile and the member which sup-V ports the power unit on the frame, which connection will insulate `the power unit from the frame ,and permit the motor to oscillate about a longitudinal axis relative to the frame.

It isl another object of this invention to provide a novel connection between the frameof an automobile and the supporting member for the power unit of the automobile, which connection 4will transmit vertically and `longitudinally `directed loads and will also insulate the supporting `member from the frame.

It is another object of this invention to provide alsupporting member on the frame of an automobile which is arranged to` receive the lthrust loads from the driving unitof the automobile and to alsofsupport the power unit of the automobile so` that itwill not 'be affected by the thrust loads.

, It is another object of this invention `topro-` vide a support for the adjacente'nds of a driv ing u nit and power unit of an automobile which permits the transmission of rotative power between the units and permits the units to rotate relative to each other about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the automobile. y

Other objects and advantages of this invention willbe apparent from a considerationof themfollowing description and claims and the at- 13 claims. (c1. 18o-485) tached drawing, of which there is one sheet, and in whichlFigure l represents a side elevational view of the frame of yan'automobile with the power i unit and ,driving unit in place thereon;

Figure 2 represents a lfront elevation of the power unit illustrating the connection-between the front ofthe power unit andi-theirame;

lOl

Figure represents a vertical, transverse, sectional view through the frame and taken along a plane indicated by the line 3--3 in` Figure i and looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating theA method .of supporting the rear end of the powerunit on the frame;

Figure 4 represents a plan view partially broken away of the frame and supporting member and illustrates the rear end of the power unit and the forward.` end of the driving unit as attached to the supporting member;

Figure 5 represents a vvertical sectional view, taken along a plane indicated by the line 5--5 in Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating the construction of the mounting brackets for the front end of the power unit;

Figure 6 represents a sectional view taken' along a plane indicatedby the line 6-6 in Figure 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 represents `a vertical sectional view taken along ,a plane indicated by the line 'l--l in Figure 4 and locking in vthe direction of the arrows; Y l

`Figure 8` represents a vertical sectional view through` the supporting member and istaken along the plane of the line 8 8 1n Figure 3 and looking in the directionof the arrows;

Figure 9 represents a vertical sectional View taken along a planeindicated by the line 9--9 in Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows. i f i i Figure 1 illustrates the frame members oi an automobile consistingof longitudinally extending siderails l0 joined together by a front cross member l2, an axle vIll and a `rear cross member I5. The frame members ymay be assembled as part of Ia separate chassis frame or may be built directly into the body of the automobile (not shown). The running gear of the automobile` consists of a power unit generally indicated at IE. and adriving unit generally indicated at Il. The power unit IE consists of a motor I3 pro vided with a clutch 20 and transmission 22. The driving unit II consists of a torque tube 2li connected at its rear end to a diierential housing 26 from each side of which extends the `rear axle `at 38 (see Figure 2) and which @naar saddle su housings 28. The rear axle housings 28 enclose the axles 30 to which are connected the driving wheels 32. The axle housings support the rear end of the frame by means of coil springs 34 extending upwardly Ato a downwardly opening, generally channel shaped cross member 88 secured to the side rails I0.

'I'he forward end' of the power unit. is sup-- ported upon the forward cross' meunierr l2" by means of mounting brackets generally indicated are more clearly illustrated in Figure 5. Each of the supporting v Y brackets 38 comprises a pair of linlrsE 4l) which extend between a pair of generally longitudinally extending tubes 42. l secured as'by welding to the underside of the, llange 44 bent forwardly from the plate 46 secured on the forward end oi the motor F8. The lower tube 42 is secured as by welding tothe underside of a generally channel shaped bracket 48* secured to the rear face of the front cross member I 2. Bolts 50 extend through the tubes 42v and the ends of. the` links 461 and clamp-,the links' to the tubes. Sleeves' 52 of rubber' or' other' deformable material are positioned within the tubes' 42 and1 around the bolts-- to insulate the bolts' from'. thetubes.

Thev sleeves" 52 areL longer thany thetubes 42' so that when the bolts 5Ul are tightened', thek ends of the' links 46 will compress the ends' of the' sleeves- 52;, causing the central portions of the sleeves to expand tightly intor contact with the' bolts I50 and tl'let insides' of the tubes 421. The sleeves of rubber A52 thus effectively insulater the' motor from the frame while flexing of the rubber will permit oscilla-tion of' the motor' rela'- tive to the: frame under' thev torque reaction forces' ofthe motor. A' block' 5I oi." rubber or other d'eformable material is positionedbetween: the' topof the bracket 48 and the upper tube 42 to limit the distancev the links may rock' about' the lower' bolts' 50* as' anA axis and to further cushion' the oscillation of themotor.

The` front axle |^4 isarrangedto be' connected" -to the front wheels by a suspension systemA suc'h as is' disclosed and' claimed in' the cti-pending application of Nils Erik Wahlberg; Floyd FT Kish'- line', ande Wallace S'. Berry, for' a Front suspension', S'eri'a'lI No. 370286. filed November r4; i940,

-whiclr has since' issued as United States' Letters Patent No'. 2,325,894; dated September 3', T943.

The rear end of the transmission 22 has secured' thereto a` rigid tubular member 56'w which` extends overV thelsupport member 58. The support member'5'8lhas an upwardlyopening.. generally chan-y nel shaped cross section with ilangesl 60 turned outwardly from'- the upper' edges theref. The centraly portiorr of" the cross member 58 is bent upwardly asv at 62 (see Figure 3*) and is provided with a cover plate 64 along the center thereof' which is' welded to the'v anges 6U: The cover plate-64 is formed as' by stamping' tohave'a centrally raised portion 66= dening thev semi-'cylinsupport the rear end of' the tubular' member 56 secured to` the transmission' and' the' tubular member is held in place,r inl the saddle' by means of" a U-bolt 1U* secured to nuts: T21

insulator consisting of inner and! outer' cylindrical bands 'F4 spaced' by an annular'ring'of rubber' 'I6'v is positioned aroundJ tl'le endl of' the tubular member 5B and i'nsulates the' tubular' member from the'saddle Wandl llibolt 10. Torsional ilexing in' the` rubber ring T6 permits' the Thez upper tube: 42- s,-

tubular member 56, which is rigidly attached to the motor, to rotate slightly relative to-the cross member 58 under the torque reaction forces of the motor. The rubber ring further supports the load of the rear end of the power unit and insulates the unit from the cross member and side rails. It is desirable to have the rubber ring 16- bonded to the surfaces ot the bands 14.

Thei raised.:V portion 66'f on the' cover plate 64 is apertured to pass a pair of pins 'I8 which extend 'downwardly through the bottom wall of the support member 58 and which are welded as at till to the support member and the raised portion 66.K The: upper. ends of the pins 18 are formed into eyesf 82 dening apertures 84 and shouldersI 85- around the apertures on each side of the eyes. The eyes 82 are arranged to receive the transversely spaced, longitudinally extending bolts' 86, the diameter of the bolts being smaller than the diameter of the apertures. The rear ends of the bolts' 86Z are rigidly secured to the arms til of atrunnion 96' threaded on' the forwardv encl off al torque tube 24. Rubber 'biscuitsr 92 are seated against the shoulders 85S onl each side of the eyes 82 and around* the' bolts 86t to effectively insulate* the'y bolts' and' the forward end of the torque tube from' the support member 58 and; at the sametime permit rotation of the torque tube in a verticali plane about the centers of the' eyes 82 as anaxis. The biscuits 92' will alsov transmit axially directed thrust from theA rear' wheels 32' and the torque' tube 24; to theV support member' 58.

The tail shaft 94 of the' transmissionA 22 (see Figure 4)'. extends backwardly through the tabular member' 56: and is connected' by means' ofa universal joint 96' tothe forward' end of a pro*- pe'ller shaft 88 enclosed withinA the torque tube' 24. It will be noted that the trunnion 9U, having a threaded connection at |80 with the torque tube 2'4, will' permit the torque' tube' to' rotate' relative to` the' trunnion' while' at' the same time' transmitting axially' directed` forces thereto. A dust slinger ring |62 is carried by the' universal joint 96 adjacent to the forward end of the torque tube and serves to prevent' dust and water'from being blown into the torque tube 2'4'. It` should be'notedthat the' universal joint 96 is positioned along a line: passed1 betweenthel eyes 8'2 so` that' the plate 64 by' the' l rotation of the torque tube about its forwardl support' as' the rear wheels' pass over bumps will" not 'cause any misalignment' ofthe shaftsl 94 and 96 in the tubularl member-56 and torque tube 2'4, respectively.

Turning now' to. the construction of the connectionsbetween' the supportmg member 58 and the' sidey rail membersA i0, it will be noted that' the cross section of the supporting member 58' decreased" in' depth' and' increased' in' width as it approaches' the si'd'e rails I 0; A cover` plate I06` is` secured as' by' welding4 to thel flange 60' toY close the ends' of theV support 58 into hollow box4 sections. The plate |06 also extends beyond the'v end of'` the supporting'member as at l0.1` (see Fig.

ure 7).

Ai pad, generally in'dicated at' L08' is positioned between the plate IUE and' the under' surface of. the' si'de rail' l';

g plate l f2' and' a lower plate H4 which are spaced' The pad consists' of an upper' an upwardly'andoutwardly sloping reinforcing.

rib. The'upper ange is secured as by weldingv to the inner side of the side rail I8 and the lower flange |23 iswelded to the top of the extension plate IIB. The plate `I |8`and bracket |22 function to provide a surfaceto which the support member 58 may be attachedLwhich is broader than the under surfaceof the side rail I8. They also `distribute some of the load of the support memberalong the inside wall of `the side rail.

The plates land ||4 and flanges' of the support member are apertured as at I 28. (see Figure to pass the bolts |38 which clamp the upper plate I|2 of the padv |88 to theplate II on theunderside of the side-rail and the'ange |23 on the bracket |22. ||4 are also apertured as at |32 y(see Figure 4'7) to `pass tl'iestud bolt |34 which extends upwardly through the plates I I2, vI I8 andthe bottom wall of the side rail I8 4to a tapped block |35 welded t0 the inside of,the side raill.` It'will be noted that the rubber IIB is also apertured along with the plates. A sleeve |38 is positioned raround the stud bolt |34 and bears against the under-` side of the top plate `|I2 of the pad |88.V The sleeve |38 is-held in placeby a washer |48 and drawn tight by the nut |42. n will be `noted that the washer |48 is'wider` in 'diameter than the apertures |32 so that should the bond befail,` permitting the lower plate I`|4 to fall, the plate will come to rest upon the washer |48 which thus-acts as a safety `support for the support member 58.4 l h a f `The lower plate `||4 of the pad |88 hasprojecting from the underside vthereof (see Figures ,4. and 6) the three bolts `|44 which have their heads |45 welded to the upper surface of the plate H4. These bolts |44 extend through apertures`in the plate |88 and are secured thereto by the nut |48. The lower wall Aof Vthe support member 58 is cut away as at |58 to permit access tothe nutsl48.y C. i

Y It `will thus be seenthat the Vupper plate II2 of the pad` |88 isrigidly secured to the side rail i8 While the lower `plate ||4 is rigidly secured'to the support member 58.A The plates ||2 and H4 arey separated by the rubber I8 so that the support member 58"andl the weight of the rear end of the powerunit are supported on the frame by tension loads in the rubber H8. Since `rubberunder tensionli's` an `4elfectivesound deadening materiahthe pad |88 Awill transmit very little motor noise to the 'frame ofthe automobile'.l

Besides functioning i tog'support the rear end of the power unit,` the pad |88 serves to transmit thrust forces from the torque tube 24 and support member 5B to the frame I8. It will be noted that the pad |88 has a relatively large horizontal area so that the shear stresses in the rubber IIB, resulting from these thrust loads, do not exceed the strength of the bond between the rubber and the plates II2 and I|4. Thus the VThe plates' |88 and rubber l*underf 'shearso that road shocks and vibrations' areI prevented from reaching the frame. WhileIhave described my invention in some detaiLIintend this description to be an example only and notas a limitation of my invention, to which I make the following claims:

.\1.=In-a`nautomobilehaving a power unit, a

y driving Lunitand side rails, asupport member tween-the rubber IIB andtheplatesl I2` and I|4 extending-'between said side rails, said support member, having a channel shaped cross section and having a'rais'ed central portion, a cover plate attached to said central portion, said cover plate being shapedto form a saddle arranged to support said power unit, and means extending through said support member andthe endsof l said saddle oneach side of said saddle for supporting'said driving unit on said support membel. 2. In an automobile having a power unit, a driving unit and side rails, a support member extending between said side rails and `having -a channel shapedcross section, a cover plate secured tosaid support member, means attached to said. cover plate for attaching-said power unit thereto, means positioned on each'side of said last mentioned means and extending through `said supportmember'ands'aid plate for connecting said driving unit to said support member, shafts in' said driving unit and said power unit, and a universal jointconnecting said shafts and positionedfalong a. line between said means for connecting said driving unit to said support member.' 3. `In `an automobile, atpower unit, a driving unit, a frame member, a support member extending from between the adjacent ends of said power unitand said driving unit to the sides of said frame member, means `including a deformable pad for connecting-said support member with said frame member, means including a deformable ring for connectingsaid power unit to said support member, and means separate'from said power-unit-to-support-member connection including deformable biscuits positionedon each side of said deformablering for 4connecting said driving unit to said support member.`

e. In an automobile, a power unit, a driving unit, a frame member, a support member extending from between theA adjacent ends of said power unit Vand said driving unit to the sides gf said framefmember, means including a deformable pad for connecting said support member with thrust forces from the torque tube and rear driving wheels are transmitted through the support member 58 and pad |88 to the frame through saidfframemember, means including a deformable ring for connecting one of said units to said support member," and means including deformable biscuits positioned on each side of and independent of said deformable ring for connecting theother of saidunits to said support member. 5. In anfautomobile having frame members, a power unit, a driving unit, a supportmember, padsfor attaching said support member to said frame members, said padsincluding plates having deformable material'bonded therebetween, means for supporting said power `unit on said support memberA including deformable material, a trunnionA rotatably secured to said driving unit and arranged to transmit axially directed forces from lsaid driving unit through said deformable material to said support member, means connecting said trunnion to said support member and positioned along a horizontal line, and deformable cushioning means positioned around said last mentioned connecting means.

6. In an automobile having apower unit and a driving unit, a frame for supporting said units,

a. support. member ta said frame; and extending under: the adjacent ends of said units',` a ringof deformable material positioned. around a portierin of said power unit and.` clamped to said support membenpins.' secured to; said. support member on either side of said and; dening eyes', a trunnion. rotatably secured to the end of said driving unit, connecting members extending fromI said trunnon through said: eyesg.. and deformable biscuits positionedy around said connectr`ing: members on each sidev of salda eyes;

7. In an automobile hayingfa power unit and a frame, means. for supporting said power unit on said frame. comprising asupport. member hav'- ing an upwardly opening, channel shaped cross section and'secured tov said'. frame, a cover plate secured to' said supporti memberl nearthe middle thereof, said cover plate having an upwardly raised" portion defining an upwardly opening partially cylindrical saddle, a; tubular member secured toA said power unit and: positioned: over said saddle, a pair of concentric bands having deformable material bonded therebetween and positioned around' said tubular member' andresting in the partially cylindrical portion of said saddle, and clamping meansj extending. partiallyv around saidpair of bands and secured tothe raised portion of said plate.

8'. In an automobile having: a fra-me and a driving'unit including' a torque tube, means for supporting said torque tube on said frame, comprising a support member positioned adjacent to the end of said torque tube, a pair of pins: secured to said support member' and on either side of the axis of said: torque tube, said. pins having 'a portion defining eyes,- ay trunnion having a threaded connection with the end of` said torque tube, arms extending from said trunnion, and connecting pins rigidly secured tosaid arms and extending throughsai'd eyes.

9. In an automobile having' side rail members and a driving unit including a torque tube, a sup.- port member extending between said side rail members and underneath theentl of'said torque tube, pins defining eyes secured tol said support member on each. side ofthe center thereof, connecting means: between said pins and said torque tube, deformable members insulating saidv connecting means from said pins, spaced plates secured to said support member and tol said frame membr and positioned one above they other,L a padl of deformable material positioned between saidplates, means for. clamping one of said plates to said side rail, and other means-spaced from said last mentioned means for connecting said support member to thel other of said plates.

10. In combination with an automobile having a power unit and ai frame member, a support member for supporting saidi power unit from said frame member, said support member. having a channel.. shaped cross; section with flanges turned outwardly from the open side thereof, means.l for attaching said support member to:- sa-id. frame member comprising acover plate secured. toy said flanges and extending beyond'. they end of said assente support member, any extension plateY secured. to said* frame. memberV and extending beyond the edgef thereof',A a. reinforcing bracket having; a flange secured tothe. side of said, frame member and another flange secured to said extension plate, a pad. positioned between said cover Vplate and said extension. plate, said pad including upper and lower plates having deformable material bonded therebetween,.said flanges on said support member, said` cover plate, said'v lower plate and said deformable. material defining aligned"v apertures, clamping means accessible through said aperturesl and clampingsaid flange on'said bracket,I said extension plate and said upper platel togethen, other clamping means secured to said frame member and extending through said. pad and said cover plate,` a spacer member positioned around said other clamping means, and means including awasher for holding said spacer member against said upper platesaid washer being spaced below and overlapping a portion ofsaid cover pla-te.

11., Means for connecting a motor support member to the frame member of an automobile comprising` an extension" plate secured to said frame. member andv extending beyond the edge thereof, and apad consisting of upper and lower plateshaving deformable material bonded therebetween, the upper plate of said pad being secured to-said. rst mentioned plate and the lower plate of said pad being secured to 'said motor support member.

1-2. In an automobile.y having a power unit and a frame, means for supporting said power unit on said' frame comprising a supportv member having an upwardly opening, channelshaped cross section, flanges turned outwardly from the edges of said, support member, a cover platesecured to saidl flanges and extending beyond the end of said support member, anY extension plateA secured to the underside of said frame and extending beyondthe edge thereof, and a pad comprising upper and lower plates having rubber bonded therebetween positioned between said cover plate and said extension plate, said vupper plate of said pad being secured to said extension plate and said flower'` plate of saidV padjbeing; secured to said cover plate.

13. A connection between the side rail and driving unit of an automobile comprising a support, member, a pad. including upper and lower plates spaced by deformable material and positionedI between said side railV and said support member, clamping means for clamping said upper plate to said sidev rail, the other of said plates defining apertures through which said clamping means are accessible, other clamping means extending; between said side. rail and the opposite side of said plate` from said side rail, a safety support member carried by said other clamping means and underlying a portion of said support i member, means holding said safety support member in place, and means spacing said safety sup- 

